Summer Programs for College Admissions

Summer Programs for High School Students

You do not have to sit around all summer and wait for something to hit you over the head. More than likely if you are here reading this you are interested in furthering your education and taking the initiative to put yourself a couple steps ahead of everyone else. Below is a list of programs that you can look into to help further your education.  

 

Academic Enrichment by Westcoast Connection

With programs on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles, McGill in Montreal, Barcelona and Florence, high school students have the opportunity to prepare for college by participating in a blend of interactive courses taught by college instructors. In addition to college preparation students can engage in exciting day trips and excursions.  

 

Visit https://www.westcoastconnection.com/ for more information.

 

California State Summer School For Mathematics and Sciences

Designed for students who have shown skills in STEM, California State Summer School For Mathematics and Sciences is a four week summer residential program that gives them the opportunity to venture beyond their everyday high school academic curriculum. Students will work in state-of-the-art labs alongside renowned faculty members, scientists, and researchers.

 

Visit   https://cosmos-ucop.ucdavis.edu/app/main for more information.

 

Columbia College Of Chicago - Summer At Columbia

Tailored to students who have completed their sophomore, junior, and/or senior years of high school but have not attended college yet are interested in art and communication, Summer at Columbia is a great program in which courses do transfer as electives to Columbia College of Chicago and to some other colleges or universities at the discretion of the particular school. Students can also live on campus like an actual college student and enjoy the meal plans for an additional cost.

Visit https://www.colum.edu/admissions/summer-at-columbia/index.html for more information.


Experiences While at College

Experiences You Should Have In College

College isn’t always about going to class and studying for the next exam. College can be a wonderful experience that will last you a lifetime if you chose to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities it has to offer.

 

Watch Plays

Look, maybe you feel as if plays are not for you but sometimes saying yes to something new might spark a new interest in you. In my experience during college I actually was reluctant to watch plays but when i did i never regretted it. I love to see what my peers are doing and i have never been disappointed.

 

Check Out The Clubs and Join One!

If you are going to school for business or simply feel as if you need more friends the join a club! It is a great way to have adventures and to try new things. You do not even have to commit to the club if it is not for you but at least you made some friends in the process. College is all about new experiences so take advantage!

 

Study Abroad

Now this one may seem like it is a little too far fetched but studying abroad can open up a window of opportunity for you as well as help you explore new cultures. There is so much more out there in the world. College is the perfect time to do this because your main focus during this wonderous time is to figure out what you want to do for the rest of your life and perhaps spending time in another country and gaining some new experience might help you figure that out.

 

Participate in Sporting Events

You don’t just have to be an athlete to participate in your intramural sports. Go and enjoy the games and immerse yourself in the crowd. Enjoy the school spirit and meet people. Cheer on your team and have loads of fun! College does not have to be a barren wasteland of homework and studying but it can be a brand new world full of excitement and experience.


What Is Your Final Decision?

Three Things To Think ABout Before Making A Final College Decision

College is a huge step in the right direction and since you are here then you must be serious about your future. It can be a bit scary trying to make a final decision but before you do consider three things..

 

What Is My Lifetime Goal?

Now truly ask yourself this question. Are you completely aware of what it is you want to achieve in life? Remember that  in the end it is always going to be your decision and no one else’s. College will definitely take you in the right direction but be sure that the school of your choice is ultimately your choice and that is the one you want to attend in order for you to perfect your unique set of skills.

 

Can I Make A Career With What I Am Passionate For?

I am all for people who dream and work hard for their passions. But we must always have a back-up plan and this goes for those who are chasing a career that is essentially ensured. With this being said is the career path you want truly the one that you can achieve?

 

Am I Willing To Give What It Takes?

Think really hard about what it is you want to do the most. Now ask yourself if you willing to put in the work necessary to achieve this goal. There is a lot of competition out there and the goal is not to be better than everyone else but to try as hard as you can to give the competitors a run for their money. Find your passion and think realistically about it; then discover what it is going to take to get there. I believe in you and all of your dreams and I wish for nothing but positive outcomes for you.


Colleges with Low Tuition

 

Colleges with The Lowest Tuition

 

Chadron State College

Located in Nebraska, Chadron State College is one of the most affordable educational institutions for those who are from out of state with costs that are only one dollar more per credit hour. The average package cost for Chadron State College is $5,760 per year. With a student to faculty ratio of 19:1 and 70 majors to choose from, Chadron State College is a great choice for education.

 

Oklahoma Panhandle State University

All students attending Oklahoma Panhandle State University pay the same tuition rate with an average yearly cost of $6,739. Nearly 100 undergraduate degrees are available, while online students can choose from over 340 different courses offered at the associate and bachelor's levels. With nearly 2,000 students currently attending Oklahoma Panhandle State University, this college offers 100 different undergraduate degrees with areas of studies that include agriculture, business, education, science, and more.

 

Minot State University

Attracting applicants from all over the nation, Minot State University’s annual tuition for those seeking a master’s degree is $7,820. This institution currently ha 3,500 students who are completing bachelor’s and master’s degrees in more than 70 areas of education.


Now That You Are Accepted To Your College?

What  To Do When Accepted To A College 

 

You have been accepted into the colleges of your dreams, what is there to do now? Obviously you celebrate and tell everyone while feeling proud of such an accomplishment. But like all celebrations there comes and end to it and eventually it is time to get back to business.

 

Find the Best Suited School

You have worked so hard to get to this point just so you can be noticed and accepted and much like any dedicated student there are going to be more than one college that you are interested in and have become interested in you. This is the time to uncover the pros and cons of your college choices and find the best fit. Consider what these schools have to offer. How will you do that for sure?

 

You Guessed It, Schedule Some Campus Tours

I am sure you have already done the campus tours but you can never be too certain. So schedule some more tours and dissect the mind of your tour-guides. College is an investment therefore you want to make the right choice.

 

Unravel the Finances

Now knowing what how much money is needed for you college choices is very important. Think about tuition and the costs of your books and necessary gear. Also consider the grants that are offered and scholarships you were accepted into.  

 

Lastly Be Sure The Choice You Are Making Is Yours

There have been so many cases where a student chooses a school because someone recommended it or because they’re chasing a friend or loved one. The final choice is yours and no one else’s so do not try to follow the footsteps of another if it does not feel right to you. Remember that this is your future and no one else’s.

 

  1. What Should High School Seniors Do Right Now?

Let us take the time to celebrate that you have made it passed years of hard work and academic dedication. You are at the edge of what was then to what will become of you. And although some things may be clearer more now than ever the ride is still not over.

 

Do Not Fall Victim Of Senioritis

It is only natural for this to happen to those who have worked so hard that in the end it seems that slacking off a little bit won’t cause any harm. I advise you to stay dedicated and put in your all no matter how late in the game it is. End this year off with a bang an be the best you can for yourself.

 

Start Narrowing Your College Search

This is the perfect time to shorten your list of a colleges so that you can focus on the few that have better things to offer you in order for you to succeed. Schedule some college tours and seek out the college that was designed for your dreams. If you have the right resume then these colleges will be looking for you!

 

Schedule Some College Tours

Visit the colleges you want to get into so. Campus tours are a perfect way to find the best college for you since instead of looking at a brochure or online blog you will be walking the campus itself and seeing the life the school has to offer!

 

Enjoy Yourself

Yes it is stressful and yes you should not slack off but this does not mean you cannot enjoy your last year as a highschooler. Enjoy this time because there will not be a next. After this it’s all about independence and figuring things out for yourself so have a little fun and create a bucket list of things to do before the year ends.


As A Senior in High School What Should I Be Doing?

What Should High School Seniors Do Right Now?

Let us take the time to celebrate that you have made it passed years of hard work and academic dedication. You are at the edge of what was then to what will become of you. And although some things may be clearer more now than ever the ride is still not over.

 

Do Not Fall Victim Of Senioritis

It is only natural for this to happen to those who have worked so hard that in the end it seems that slacking off a little bit won’t cause any harm. I advise you to stay dedicated and put in your all no matter how late in the game it is. End this year off with a bang an be the best you can for yourself.

 

Start Narrowing Your College Search

This is the perfect time to shorten your list of a colleges so that you can focus on the few that have better things to offer you in order for you to succeed. Schedule some college tours and seek out the college that was designed for your dreams. If you have the right resume then these colleges will be looking for you!

 

Schedule Some College Tours

Visit the colleges you want to get into so. Campus tours are a perfect way to find the best college for you since instead of looking at a brochure or online blog you will be walking the campus itself and seeing the life the school has to offer!

 

Enjoy Yourself

Yes it is stressful and yes you should not slack off but this does not mean you cannot enjoy your last year as a highschooler. Enjoy this time because there will not be a next. After this it’s all about independence and figuring things out for yourself so have a little fun and create a bucket list of things to do before the year ends.


FAFSA MISTAKES

FAFSA Mistakes That You Must Avoid 

 

Here is a list of mistakes that can be costly on your financial aid form. Avoid these mistakes and you should be okay! Just follow the directions and ask questions.

  1. The most frequent mistake made on the printed form is leaving a field blank. If the answer is zero or the question does not apply to you, write in a zero. If you leave a question blank, the processor will assume that you forgot to answer.

 

  1. Use the 1040 federal tax return for income reporting and reporting taxes paid. If you use your W-2 and 1099 forms, compare them with the previous years income tax return to make sure you did not overlook any source of income.

 

3.Don’t forget to report all the required sources of untaxed income. These include veterans’ noneducation benefits, child support and workers compensation or disability income.

 

  1. Report your correct marital status. If you plan to file as a married student, you must be married on or before the date that you sign your FAFSA.

 

  1. Include yourself in the household size. Even if you didn’t live there during the previous year, you should always include yourself as part of your parent’s household.

 

  1. Don’t forget to sign the application. If you’re filing as a dependent then both you and your parents must sign. If you file online, you and your parents can sign the form electronically using your FSA ID. this is very important and failure to do this will impede your award.

 

  1. Finally, remember to file on time! Do not procrastinate and hold off on filling out a Financial Aid form. The sooner you do it the sooner you will receive your aid.

How Do I Pick a Major?

How To Pick A Major In College 

 

Picking your major might be a little confusing for many students since not everyone has it all figured out their first semester. Sometimes it may take up to the third semester to finally have it all figured out. That's just life and reality. But if you want some help; here are some guidelines to help you out a bit!

 

First Of All What Is A Major?

 

A major is your specialized area of study. It is essentially the whole reason you go to college. This doesn’t necessarily mean you will only get a job that has to do with your major; this just means you are on your way to becoming an expert to the field of your choosing.

 

How Do I Choose A Major?

 

Sometimes you’ll be watching a movie and see a doctor performing surgery then suddenly you are inspired to join the medical field or you see a superhero show the suddenly want to join law. It all depends on what you love. What is it that you like to do? Is it art? Writing? Music? Sometimes colleges even allow you to create your own major. Find your passion and learn more about it.

 

What If I Change My Mind?

 

This is okay to do. One of the best things about college is that you are experiencing a whole lot and will be exposed to many different things! You might  think that you love music then realize you have a passion for creative writing. And if that is the case; schedule a meeting with your counselor and get the ball rolling!


How Are Essay Constructed

How Are Essays Constructed? 

The first paragraph of an essay or paper is always the introduction. It presents the topic of the paper and also provides the thesis statement. The introduction basically tells the audience what the rest of the paper or essay is going to be about without providing any real information or research. The introduction simply states the main points that the body paragraphs are going to focus on.

What Are Body Paragraphs?

The Body Paragraphs are what generally make the essay. They are the tools used to express the main points thoroughly in individual paragraphs: in other words one paragraph must only express one idea or point that enforces the thesis statement. A paragraph is always dedicated to and describes an idea and should never present more than one.

How Many Paragraphs Should Be In An Essay?

This is a question that is always asked and there typically is no real answer to this. It all just depends on the instructor and to your thesis or how well you want to make your point. A decent paper is about three pages long in length but sometimes a perfect paper may not even surpass page one! But if you want to make things easier, one page should contain about three paragraphs.

 


What Makes a Good College Essay?

How Do I Write a Great College Application Essay? 

It is probably very intimidating This is the essay that truly matters! It has to be perfect, right? Well not necessarily. Students often fret when writing essays because they want to follow the formula that has been given since they were in grade school. The truth is admission officers are constantly reading application essays and can tell when the essay is not genuine, if it is generic, or even plagiarized; and believe me they know when a student has gotten help from a parent.

What Should The First Step Be?

The best thing to do when approaching an essay is to understand the prompt thoroughly and to see if you can relate to it, apply it to your definition of the real world, or at least allow it to sink into your cognitive thinking. Why do this? So that you can understand the prompt and have your thoughts flourish with countless ideas and approaches

How Do I Organize Ideas?

So what do you do when you’re filled with all these new thoughts and ideas? Write them all down! Develop a form of outline for your essay and jot down all of your thoughts so you can organize all of your feelings, thoughts, ideas, etc. Then once you have a basic but well-rounded idea on how you want your essay then begin writing!

So Now The Writing Process…

When it comes to an admissions essay you ought to not look back at those old high school notes or papers. Chances are when you were writing those papers you were trying to satisfy the instructor’s prompt and get a good grade but here is the truth: This essay is meant to show the

reader who you are! It is meant to show the reader that you can get to the point and be concise by staying original and simply being yourself. Be creative and intuitive and work to not only satisfy the reader through fine work but even satisfy yourself through a paper that only you could write and no one else could ever. The whole point of an admissions essay is to show schools who you are! It is your voice and no one else’s. And after you are done with that wonderful essay there is one final yet simple step: Proofread. Always proofread your work and make sure it is exactly what you want to say and that every word and period is placed right where it is intended to be.